The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-08-19
UTILITY OF metallic CONDUCTORS.

1he utility OF properly constructed
metallic conductors for securing protec-
ton against injury by lightning has been
so fully demonstrated by the experience
of mankind since the original discovery
of Franklin, that it is scarcely reason
able to suppose that any but the most
ignorant entertain doubts upon the sub
ject. The most eminent scientific men
of the age, Sir Humphry, Davy, Arago,
Faraday, Harris, Brewster, Sardner,
Bache, johnson, Henry and others, who
have devoted themselves to the investi-
cation of the phenomina of thunder
storms and the action of conductors,
have, without exception, given positive
testimony in favor of the use of Ii ghtning
rods.
Below few of the most celebrated
modern cientists'opinions will be found.
NJ. Arago, president of the French
Academy of Science, says:
eve deduct from facts alone, without
borrowing anything from theory simple,
uniform and rational rules for protecting
buildings from the effects of lightning, g,
which when properly observed, reduce
to insigniicance the danger to be appre-
hended from thunder storms"
Prof. Joseph Henry, secretary Smith
sonian Institute Washington, says:
''In house properly provided with
lightning rods, however many discharges
may fall on it, we are well assured, from
full experience and established princi-
pies, no damage can ensue to the occu-
pants within"
Prof. johnson in his work on natural
philosophy, states:
Conductors attached to buildings do
really protect them from injury by light
ming, as has been abundantly proved by
actual experience thousands of times"
Sir W. Snow Harris, F. T. S., who
Investigated the subject in the interest
of the British Navy (Which ships were
made after this design and who after
wards designed lightning conductors for
the new houses of Parliament which
were erected at cost of e., ,314, or about
81, 10000, says:
Ajudicious application of pointed con-
ductOrs, both on land and sea, is not only
desirable but in general is absolutely es-
sential to the preservation of buildings
and ships from the ravages of lightning.
The following is from the pen of Prof.
Merriam, of Brooklyn Heights, N. Y:
81 am in favor of lightning rods gen
orally, as the best protection of life and
property. This favorable opinion is the
result of observations that have extended
over more than half q century of time,
and over large extent of geographical
surface. Our recordi of lightning phe-
nomenon is, without doubt, the most
minute and extensive on the globe, ex-
tending in all climates and to the remote
districts of the earth"
These words furnish the most abundant
evidence of the protection which proper
metallic conductors afford against light
ming. The facts we have cannot but be
convincing to any intelligent observing
person. No deaths by lightning have ever
been known on a steamboat, in a railway
car, in an iron building or iron vessel. No
deaths by lightning ever occurred ina ship
or building properly furnished with a
conductor.
1t may seem to many unnecessary to use
such quotations as the above to strength
en- the proof of the efficiency of lightning
rods, in this enlightened age, but it must
be borne in mind that the masses have not
access to that class of information tn IT
sheds much light on the subject. Hence,
there is more skepticism in it than is gen
erally supposed, Notwithstanding the gen
eral use of lightning rods. Thousands
would provide protection who do not, if
they we're as positively certain that light
ming rods will protect as they are that wa
ter will run through pipes. And all who
haye thoroughly investigated this subject
know this to be true. But the masses have
not the facilities for demonstrating these
facts.